Strategies to Teach English As a Second Language

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English is the third most spoken language in the world. It is a useful language to learn, especially when traveling to America, Europe and parts of Asia and helpful when communicating with more than 500 million speakers around the globe. Many people who aspire to speak English take English-language classes. Here are some strategies to teach English as a second language.

Materials

Worksheets and quizzes are useful classroom materials that students can use to learn English as a second language. ESL publishers have a variety of worksheets, drills and flash cards that are interactive to help students become more active in their English language learning. Simple exercises such as translating paragraphs in their original language to English will help them with their English comprehension. Reading materials in English that will be useful for those learning the language include English poems and short stories. Vocabulary cards can be used to learn words quickly, while fill-in-the-blanks exercises help students articulate in English to complete sentences.

Curriculum

English as a Second Language classes should emphasize a curriculum that will help students acquire and practice necessary communication skills in the language. The curriculum may have lessons in listening, reading, and speaking English, such as in the Side by Side series by Longman Publishers. In addition to lessons in vocabulary and grammar, proper pronunciation lessons should also be incorporated. Preparation for English as a Second Language Test (TOEFL) should also be included in the curriculum, to help students prepare for English language credentials.

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Interaction

It is important for students to interact with the language through several avenues. Showing them films and television shows in English will help immerse them in the language in an enjoyable way. Teachers can also help students interact with the language by bringing native English speakers in the classroom to converse in with the students. Multimedia tools such as videos and audio clips will help in listening comprehension. After each lesson, ask students to analyze what they have learned by explaining the materials in English.

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